Chapter 12

November 17, T.A 2940

Evening

Anariel followed Feren, and Elros through the near silent halls there was no sounds but their own muted footsteps and that of her guards, a gentle clinking of armor and though no other could hear it Anariel's short, harsh breathing. Still, in her armor she strode down the hall with her chin held high, clutching her bow furiously till her knuckles turned white, she had hoped to look confident as she walked not letting it be known that she terribly nervous. Her heart raced as a fear crept up her spine, the king had called to see her in the middle of her lessons, she could only imagine what she'd done. Anariel felt like she was going to be physically ill as they come to stop outside her father's office.

"Tolo vi, (come in)" Thranduil's voice echoed out loud and commanding from within.

As the door creaked open his voice snapped out another command and everyone disappeared from behind Anariel leaving her alone. Swallowing roughly, she slipped through the door, her eyes immediately fell upon Alfred. Anariel gasped out shock as she rushed across the room throwing him into a tight hug, grasping his face between her hands she placed a kiss on the top of his forehead.

"He has come bearing a message," Thranduil informed, standing tall off to the side with Legolas both stood hands clasped looking regal.

"A message?" She breathed pulling away as she glanced at her father and brother before she turned back to her old friend. "You are no messenger. Why have you come?" Anariel asked as she faces Alfred once more before the sudden painful realization struck, her heart dropped as she stumbled backwards.

"Anariel, you may want to sit." Her father spoke gently, waving a hand towards a nearby chaise.

"No, not now. Alfred, why have you come?" Anariel demanded a hand coming to rest on her stomach the other lingering near her lips as she awaited the ill news she knew was to come.

Tears came to Alfred's own eyes as he spoke, "It is Marigold, she is dead."

"No! No, that is not possible, she cannot be dead. She... she can't die...not...not yet." Anariel cried out, fumbling with her hands behind herself to find the edge of the couch as tears spilled from her eyes.

"Yes, Anariel, they will die. Today, tomorrow, one year hence, a hundred years from now. What does it matter? They are mortal." Thranduil eased out, slightly taken aback by the reaction it had upon her surely she shouldn't have been so shocked, she should be more accustomed to mortals dying by now.

Legolas watched his sister nervously expecting her to fly off the handle again, instead, there was nothing. Anariel's mind seemed to draw a blank, there was nothing she felt numb a feeling she knew well.

"Of course, they will die. When Anna passed I grieved for her, but she was eighty-nine she was sick, and in pain. But, Marigold she was only five she was just a child." Anariel wrapped her hand around her waist, the other coming up back up to her mouth biting upon her knuckle trying to keep back the sobs and tears.

It was then when her knees gave out from beneath her, about to let herself crash painfully to the ground when a strong pair of arms caught her firmly. Glancing up, Anariel looked into the eyes of her father. He offered her a kind smile as he guided her down upon the chaise. Thranduil sat down beside her keeping an arm wrapped around his daughter's shoulders.

"What happened to her? How did this happen?" Anariel finally breathed out as Alfred sat down across from the three blonde elves, his face slack, eyes dull, and emotionless.

Alfred sighed, rubbing a hand over his chest. "Jane and I had to work. We had to, there was nothing left to do, things were getting tight, too tight. We both had to work or with winter coming things would have been lacking and the children would have been hungry. Jane was in the house of healing, and the boys and I, well, that pack of wolves out in the woods have been getting closer every night. We had to take care of it before they came too close to the village or in it," Alfred explained, tears coming to his already wet eyes. "Rowan had been watching them, he had said that Marigold thought she heard Jane returning and she took off running outside. Rowan took off after her, said Marigold got scared. The streets of Bree are no place for children at night, it had been cold and rainy, she'd ran past a horse spooking it the beast began kicking and rearing Rowan tried to catch her in time, but Marigold was struck by the horse's hoof, she fell. The blasted horse wouldn't calm knocking into the others...she...she was trampled in the chaos." Alfred finished his last words barely audible through his tears of grief.

Anariel gasped out, sobbing she flung herself to the side burying her face into her father's chest without so much as a thought. She was there his arm still around her shoulders and Anariel sought comfort from her father. Thranduil stiffened in surprise, he remembered Legolas seeking comfort in his arms as an elfling, but his daughter was no longer a little elfling. Still, taking a deep breath as though readying himself he raised his hand, for the first time to comfort his daughter, it fell gently upon her golden hair stroking lightly. Beneath his hand, he felt her relax further into him. The King had two pairs of shocked eyes looking at him in disbelief.

Legolas smiled as he watched his father comfort his sister, as he did so he became more and more sure that his father was finding his way back to them.

"You must change for dinner," Thranduil said as he lifted her head gingerly.

Anariel was about to haul off and start hollering how she didn't need to, didn't even need to go to dinner. Her sadness to quickly change to anger in her shock.

The king held up a hand giving her an imploring look before immediately continuing on with what he was saying. "If you would be so kind as to join us this evening," Thranduil spoke turning to face Alfred, he looked up to the king stunned.

"Afterwards, I will have Meludir show you to a guest room. You are welcome to stay and rest for as long as you need before making the return journey home." Thranduil paused a moment before continuing, "I will have two of my guards escort you back, for it is a long trip to be travelling alone, especially one who will be forced to leave himself vulnerable in order to rest." The king's voice had grown harder and more stern. "Your family has surely suffered enough, you and your wife have lost a daughter... I understand your pain. But I implore you to not be so reckless and leave your wife and other children without a father."

"I... thank you, my lord. Truly, I see by my own eyes and that in which my heart feels and my gratitude how great of a king you are."

"Thank you..." Before Thranduil could continue a young elleth leaped into his arms hugging him tightly, a feeling he hadn't felt in a long time.

"Hannon le, Ada." Anariel beamed up at him despite the painful aching in her chest, placing a quick kiss upon his cheek she pulled away, "I'll go change as you've asked."

Legolas sent his sister a kind smile, glad that she kept to her word of trying to listen and she proved to do just that in a difficult moment. Legolas was proud of his sister and his father as he saw him comfort her, it all proved to be worth it as he looked up at the shocked look on his father's face, yet Legolas caught the smile that tugged at the king's lips.

"Well now, that certainly was a first," Alfred spoke, reminding the two ellyn that he was still here.

"What's that?" Legolas questioned with a sincere curiosity.

"Anariel, well, just her listening for a change." Alfred paused and allowed himself a quick chuckle at the young elleth's expense. "She is happier here, respects you two." He commented nodding as he did couldn't hold back the scoff that escaped his lips.

Alfred chuckled. "Truly, she would never have even paused to even consider listening if she didn't respect you in some way."

Thranduil nodded lightly, though he wasn't completely convinced. Then again he himself was finding that he respected her more. Perhaps, the same could be said about her to him. Thranduil smiled holding hope for such.

Haldir sat whispering to his brother's as they awaited the king.

Feren was trying desperately to keep his glares and growls to himself as he waited politely. Keeping all his comments to himself proved to be quite difficult, the king, prince, princess, and some mortal walked in. "What did you do to her?" Feren hissed out across the table picking up easily on the heartbroken look on her face.

Haldir only smirked back, ignoring his question he spoke, "Well, it'll be me she seeks comfort in tonight." Though truth be told Haldir had no idea what ailed their princess.

"Don't you even think about it," Feren snapped as Anariel took a seat beside him cueing the Marchwardens to stop their bickering. Anger coursed through his veins as he looked at that smug blond elf before him.

Anariel nibbled at her food as dinner dragged on. Feren worried for how Haldir planned to 'comfort' her. Haldir sat looking Anariel over in a thoughtful gaze. Legolas spent his entire dinner with flickering eyes looking between Haldir, Feren, and Anariel all while wondering if she was okay.

Thranduil was careful to keep his face impassive while he to watched the three of them he had easily heard the Marchwarden's words as they entered, glancing to Anariel he doubted that she had she was numb and lost at the moment she would seek some form of comfort, that he knew.

Thranduil knew both Haldir and Feren to be good ellyn they were both determined, strong, confident, and great warriors with noble backgrounds, in that sense Thranduil held no objections to either ellon. But he knew too that each held their flaws, Thranduil sighed deciding he would ask Legolas later for his opinion putting it out of his mind, for now, he would need to think about it later. Thranduil would have to decide if both were worthy of his blessing if the time came and if he should leave the decision up Anariel or if he needed to step in.

"My Lord," Haldir finally broke the silence.

"Yes, Haldir, what is it?" Thranduil spoke suddenly looking at Lothlórien Marchwarden in a slightly different light. Would he be good enough for his daughter?

"I merely wanted to ask if we might speak afterwards, I wondered if you had decided on the date and that of which I am to return to Lady Galadriel with," Haldir spoke calmly.

"I have indeed; we may speak now. It is no secret." Thranduil began, "Or rather it shouldn't be. The ball will be held in a month's time; I have sent a messenger to Imraldis already to Lord Elrond. Our guests from Rivendell will arrive three days before the festivities. You may tell Lady Galadriel such and I will leave the decision to her, and Lord Celeborn as to when they wish to arrive. Am I to assume you will be so kind as to return to join us?"

Haldir bowed his head, "Yes, my lord. Lady Galadriel has asked me to be on guard during her travels, to protect herself and Lord Celeborn and all those who travel with us."

"Of course, you will be there for protection it would be seemingly unwise to choose another. I, however, wondered if you will be attending the ball," Thranduil smirked slightly, he knew the hardened, callous, Marchwarden well enough to know he did not do such frivolous activities. "I believe it would be safe to say our own Marchwarden will be there, Feren?"

"Yes, my lord," Feren spoke in a slightly confused manner, he had yet to hear of the events that were to come. If it didn't have to do with the princess's lessons or the ever growing threat of darkness in the south bringing out the spiders, then he did not know of it.

"Princess Anariel's ball, in which the Elves of both Imraldis and Caras Galadhon will attend," Thranduil explained catching Anariel's attention.

"You have not mentioned it before!" Anariel snapped lightly though her voice barely raised in annoyance.

"I have not, but I am now. It is tradition, Anariel, to welcome an elfling into this world in such a manner to celebrate life, and the blessing in which you are, as well to celebrate an elflings coming of age. While many years passed since both of them, instead we will hold one grand celebration in your honor." The King informed his daughter.

"Is that necessary?"

"Yes," Thranduil said flatly, turning back to Feren he asked again if he would be attending.

"Of course, my lord. I would be honoured to celebrate such a lovely elleth." Feren smiled, pushing aside the anger he still felt towards her after their argument on the training grounds. He had to hold his own, he cared about her, adored her and in such he could not show his anger in front of Haldir.

"Haldir?" The king prompted, hiding a smirk.

Legolas almost snorted out in laughter, "Come now, Haldir does not do such festivities, Adar."

"Of course, I will go." Haldir insisted suddenly. "Such a beautiful elleth is worth celebrating."

The king held back a chuckle as he watched the two Marchwarden's bicker, growl and try desperately to win her over to the point even the great brute Marchwarden of Lorien attends balls to try and win his daughter's hand. Thranduil couldn't help but see the amusement in such.

"Truly?" Legolas breathed out positively shocked.

"Yes, mellon nin. Such should not be a surprise," He spoke sending Anariel a wink.

"Right..." Legolas breathed out in disbelief. Perhaps, Legolas thought to himself, Haldir was willing to change and try more than he thought.

Haldir and Anariel walked the gardens, he could see her heartbroken look, this night was already not going the way he had originally planned. Haldir steered her towards the edges of the forest it was a quiet and secluded area.

"I'm sorry," Anariel breathed her voice monotone as she rubbed the heel of her hands together. "You didn't need to take me out, I'm not much good in the way of company."

Haldir spoke as he moved in a little closer. "You are upset, you seek comfort, I could distract you for a time." He breathed into her ear as he traced a finger along her jawline.

"I..." Anariel listened to his words, more than anything she didn't want to think of anything else, to just forget, to let the pain of Marigold's passing cease.

"I will make you forget everything," Haldir whispered closer to her ear, hooking a finger beneath her chin.

Slowly she nodded her head as she felt the pad of his thumb tracing her lips, Haldir smirked as he leaned into her letting their lips connect. Anariel could feel the stinging in her lip as he kissed her, it mixed and mingled with the feeling of grief that raged in her tight chest. All the while she felt her stomach clench and heart flutter she growled out pushing Haldir away as tears sprung from her eyes.

She bent over growling as she pushed a hand to her lips. Anariel wiped her tears away, she felt it for a split second, she forgot, allowed herself to be distracted. Haldir was about to say something when Anariel pulled him back into her. Haldir smirked into the kiss, boldly kissing her deeper.

Anariel allowed herself to slip away, to let herself forget everything. In the back of her mind, she cursed herself, could hear Feren telling her that he was too bold and he was only trying to protect her, Anariel mentally scoffed Haldir was helping she felt great. A part of her reveled in the feeling, another part of her was confused about each and every feeling that raged through her body.

Oblivious to what was going on around them a few elves caught sight of the pair as they strolled through the gardens, rumours were sure to spread.

Thranduil sat at his desk working on Anariel's next lessons when a knock sounded at the door bringing his attention away from his work. "Feren, come in!"

"Yes, my lord," Feren called as he entered. "What was it that you needed me for?"

"Anariel is still out with Haldir, I need you to go get her. She must rest this night and continue her lessons tomorrow. She's missed enough." Thranduil ordered out, noting the cross look that passed on Feren's face when he said Anariel had yet to return.

"Yes, my lord." Feren bowed taking his leave immediately to find Anariel.

He'd spent the better part of an hour looking for them when he finally stumbled upon the pair in the gardens.

Feren growled his breathing almost immediately becoming short and clipped as he took in Haldir's hands upon her form, his body pushed against hers as he claimed her lips. Feren stormed over reaching between the two of them he pulled Haldir off of her.

"Get off of her," Feren snarled grasping Anariel's hand he pulled her away from him fully.

Haldir only smirked, "I think you are over reacting, she can do as she pleases."

"Get off!" Anariel snapped, as she pulled herself away from Feren. "Why do you care what I do?"

"The king has ordered you to return, you are to rest for your lessons tomorrow morning." Feren relayed.

"So, this is nothing about caring but following orders."

"I care about you, that is exactly why I will follow those orders."

Anariel scoffed turning on her heels she stalked away from the two ellyn.

"Anariel!" Feren called out hoping she would stop, "Anariel, you cannot wonder the halls or outside alone!"

"Fuck off!" Anariel screamed behind her shoulder.

Feren was about to take off after her when he felt his own arm being grasped.

"Just a small reminder, she kissed me," Haldir said with his smug smirk still plastered on his face, Feren growled pulling back his arm he punched him square in the jaw.

Feren yanked himself away running after Anariel.

"Anariel!" He called out to her as he caught up, "Please, stop. Anariel, just stop."

"What!" she screamed, stopping she spun on her heels to face him tears streaming down her face.

Feren sighed as he looked at her tear stained face, his heart ached for her. "Look, I get it things have been..."

"No, no you don't!" Anariel found herself screaming at him. "She's dead, Feren... she was five and now she's dead. Gone."

"The mortal at dinner," Feren breathed suddenly, he had not known why the mortal was there or the news he may have brought.

Anariel nodded.

Feren walked closer taking her in his arms, "I'm so sorry."

Anariel crumbled into his arms, "I just wanted to forget, to make the pain go away." She sobbed into his chest, "It felt good, so I... Oh, why am I even telling you this?" She cursed placing her hands firmly on his chest she pushed away.

"It's okay," Feren breathed out pulling her back into his chest, he placed a gentle hand upon her back rubbing her back comfortingly. "I told you I was here if you needed to vent your heartache and troubles too if you need or wanted a distraction." Feren sighed against her hair.

"Distraction, yes." she breathed, leaning up towards his lips.

"No. Not that kind of distraction." Feren said firmly, turning his head away. "I think that you are far from being in an emotional state to make that decision." Feren spoke, "Let's go to the kitchens."

"The kitchen?" Anariel questioned as she stood tall beside him, wrapping their arms together.

Feren nodded with a smile as he began to lead the way, "I remember when you first got here you went to kitchens because you couldn't rest, I doubt you'll be able to now when the emotional stress has only gotten worse."

"You actually remember why I was down there," Anariel asked shocked.

"Well, yes." Feren answered with smiled, "You were baking, show me how."

Anariel looked up to him, her face twisting in confusion as they entered the kitchens. Admittedly, she would love to bake so she nodded in agreement. "Something different this time, though."

"You lead; I will do as you say."

Anariel set to work gathering the ingredients, utensils, and other kitchen tools they would need. Side by side Feren followed Anariel's lead he stood beside her mixing a lemon filling, stirring too fast it sloshed up splashing them.

Anariel turned to look at him with a raised eyebrow, taking in his face she couldn't contain a laugh. "Stir gently," she scolded teasingly reaching up she wiped some off the corner of his lips. "Thank you."

"For what?" he asked, reaching around her to grab a platter of pastry she'd done up.

"This, you were right. This is wonderful, it helped." Anariel picked up a finished lemon tart biting into it, a small smile on her lips. Her heart still ached but Feren had both managed to provide her with a peaceful distraction that left her feeling whole again, brought a smile to her lips and a laugh escape the prison that was her soul.

"Good." Feren began laughing at himself, noticing he now had lemon in his hair along with an array of other ingredients. "Here, I seemed to have splashed you to." Feren wiped a small droplet off her cheek as he gazed into her eyes.

Anariel could feel her cheeks turning red as he looked at her, "we... we should clean up a little."

Feren nodded, stacking the bowls together he placed them back on the counter, turning back around he saw Anariel licking off a spoon. "I thought we were cleaning up."

"We are...sort of." Anariel giggled as he took the spoon from her hand placing it back on the table.

Anariel went to wipe a drop of lemon from the corner of her lips when Feren caught her hand gently in his, staring back into her eyes, swallowing roughly he could almost feel the air grow tense around them, hear the breath she held in, in that second he closed the distance between them and kissed her.

Anariel's mind seemed to go blank there was nothing else in all the world but the very feeling of his lips on hers, she sighed into him, knees growing weak. While she could feel her heart racing, there was something more to his kiss. She felt no nervousness with him, he made her calm and serene, she felt like she'd kissed him a hundred times before yet he could still set her skin on fire, their lips moved in a perfect harmony.

Feren's own heart felt like it stopped in that moment, by the gods, he didn't even know what made him do it. He just did it without thought or warning.

Between them was an unmistakable fire, as Feren pulled her closer no matter how hard he gripped her he could never bring her close enough, her lips set his own ablaze as he tasted her and he knew all his life he'd been starving.

Whether it was a second or a minute, maybe an hour had passed, but he knew there would never be another like her.

He loved her, and while he could admit that silently in his head it terrified him all the same, it was a frightening thought, that in one fraction of a moment he could fall in love.

The kind of love that would take him a lifetime to get over, for what would he do if she doesn't choose him?